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Early Signs of Multiple Sclerosis

Written by Heathline Editorial Team
| Published on February 20, 2015Medically Reviewed by George Krucik, MD, MBA
on February 20, 2015

A Close Look at MS Symptoms

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a
disease with unpredictable symptoms that can vary in intensity. While some
people experience fatigue and numbness,
severe cases of MS can cause paralysis, vision loss,
and diminished brain function.

What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

MS is a progressive autoimmune disorder. That means
the system designed to keep your body healthy mistakenly attacks parts of your
body that are vital to everyday function. The protective covering of nerve
cells are damaged, which leads to diminished function in the brain and spinal
column.

The cause of MS largely remains a mystery, even though the disease was
discovered in 1868. Researchers know the nerve damage is caused by
inflammation, but the cause of the inflammation is still unknown.

MS & Vision Problems

The most common early signs of MS are vision
problems, clinically called “optic neuritis.”
Inflammation affects the optic nerve and disrupts central vision. This can lead
to blurred vision in one or both eyes, double vision, or loss of
contrast or vivid colors.

You may not notice the vision problems
immediately, as degeneration of clear vision can be slow. Pain when you look up
or to one side also can accompany vision loss.

Tingling & Numbness

MS affects nerves in the brain and
spinal column (the body’s message center). This means it can send conflicting
signals around the body. Sometimes, no signals are sent. This results in the
most common symptom: numbness.

Tingling sensations and numbness are
the most common warning signs of MS. Common sites of numbness include the face,
arms, legs, and fingers.

Pain & Spasms

Chronic
pain and involuntary muscle spasms are also common with MS. One study,
according to the National MS Society, showed that half of people with MS
had either “clinically significant pain” or chronic pain.

Muscle stiffness or spasms (spasticity) are also
common. They involve feelings of stiff muscles or joints as well as
uncontrollable, painful jerking movements of extremities. The legs are most
often affected, but back pain is also common.

Fatigue & Weakness

Chronic fatigue occurs when nerves
deteriorate in the spinal column. Usually, the fatigue appears suddenly and
lasts for weeks before improving. The weakness is most noticeable in the legs
at first.

Balance Problems & Dizziness

Dizziness and problems with coordination and balance
can decrease the mobility of someone with MS. Your doctor may refer to these as
problems with your gait. People with MS often feel lightheaded, dizzy, or
feel as if their surroundings are spinning (vertigo). This symptom often occurs
when a person stands up.

Bladder, Bowel & Sexual Dysfunction

A dysfunctional
bladder is another symptom
occurring in up to 80
percent of people with MS. This can include
urinating frequently, strong urges to urinate, or inability to hold in urine.

Urinary-related symptoms are often
manageable. Less often, people with MS experience constipation, diarrhea, or
loss of bowel control.

Sexual arousal can also be a problem for people with MS
because it begins in the central nervous system — where MS attacks.

Cognitive Problems

About half of people with MS will
develop some kind of issue with their cognitive
function. This can include:

memory problems

shortened attention
span

language problems

difficulty staying
organized

Depression and other emotional health
problems are also common.

Emotional Health

Major depression is common among people with MS. The stresses
of MS can also cause irritability, mood swings, and a condition called pseudobulbar
affect: bouts of
uncontrollable crying and laughing.

Coping with MS symptoms, along with
relationship or family issues, can make depression and other emotional
disorders even more challenging.

Other Symptoms

Not
everyone with MS will have the same symptoms. Different symptoms can manifest
themselves during “attacks.” Along with the symptoms mentioned on the previous
slides, MS can also cause:

hearing loss

seizures

uncontrollable shaking

breathing problems

slurred speech

trouble swallowing

Progression & Severity

MS often astounds doctors because of how much it
can vary in both its severity and the ways that it affects people. Attacks can
last a few weeks and then disappear. However, relapses can get progressively
worse, more unpredictable, and come with different symptoms.

However, early detection may help prevent MS from
progressing quickly.

Is MS Hereditary?

MS isn’t necessarily hereditary. However, you have a higher chance of
developing the disease if you have a close relative with MS, according to the National MS Society.

The general population only has a tenth of a percent chance of
developing MS. But the National MS Society reports that
number jumps to 2.5 to 5 percent if you have a sibling or parent with MS.

Heredity isn’t the only factor in determining MS.
An identical twin only has a 25 percent chance of developing MS if their twin
has the disease. While genetics is certainly a risk factor, it’s not the only
one.

Diagnosis

A doctor — most likely a neurologist — will perform several tests to
diagnose MS, including:

neurological exam: checks for reduced nerve function

eye exam: checks for distortions in the inner eye and
response times

spinal tap: a sample of spinal fluid is removed with a long
needle and tested

Doctors use these tests to look for damage to the
central nervous system in two separate areas that occurred at least one month
apart. These tests are also used to rule out other conditions.

Moving Forward

MS is a challenging disorder, but researchers have
discovered many treatments that can slow its progression.

The best defense against MS is seeing your doctor
immediately after you experience the first warning signs. This is especially
important if someone in your immediate family has the disorder, as it’s one of
the key risk factors for MS.

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